Learning from Failure Essay Example for Free

Learning from Failure Essay Everyone strives for perfection, for most people failure is not an option. However, the reality is that failure is an unpleasant fact, each day, a person fails in his or her tasks, decisions and ideas and organizations fail in their strategies and policies. In this highly competitive and achievement oriented society, a failure in any aspect of a person’s life is construed negatively and stereotyped as a sign of weakness. Failures are indeed negative occurrences that involve the inability to carry out the desired objective or goal of the individual or organization (Cannon Edmondson, 2005). Failures can be either large scale or small scale, and it can have far-reaching effects than mere criticisms. Small-scale failures are normal consequences of the individual’s actions and decisions form day to day, for example, not being able to come to work on time is a failure on the part of the employee. Being tardy is a negative behavior and failing to be punctual can directly affect the work performance of the individual; however, such tardiness can also have dire effects on the organization. Chronic tardiness results to missed hours of work per week and probably lesser output for the department or unit and the organization as a whole. Such a failure can be dissected and analyzed as a personal failure, but it has varied implications for the organization’s policies and performance. On the other hand, large-scale failures are highly sensationalized and have the potential to lessen the competitiveness and the trust that people have on their organizations (Nevis,   DiBella Gould, 1995). F or example, Martha Stewart’s failure and fiasco in her business enterprise have led to criticisms and stigma and for that time, sales of Martha Stewart’s products were very low. Organizational failures are often not highlighted as a basis for learning; instead, it is covered-up and undisclosed to the public. Learning from failure is not a popular concept in the American reality. Failures have a negative connotation and it is not a thing that is shared to most people. Likewise, organizations steer from the issue of failure and find immediate solutions to such failures and problems without considering the possible learning that the failure brings (Nevis,   DiBella Gould, 1995). For example, mass resignations of pilots in an airline company spell disaster, and the most likely action for the company is to reduce flights. Learning from failure dictates that the airline company should look into the reasons of the pilots for leaving the airline. The result of the survey would be used as basis to institute changes in their policies in order to address the concerns of the pilots and to prevent mass resignations in the future. Organizations however, try very hard to keep their failures from becoming public since it would not be good for their business but making failures public communicates that the organization is willing to accept their mistakes and further commit to the improvement of their policies and procedures to prevent and minimize the occurrence of mistakes (Cannon Edmondson, 2005). Large-scale failures that reach the consciousness of the public become common knowledge and these are used as a learning tool for other individuals and organizations.   The stock market scandals have resulted to clearer and stricter guidelines in the stock market. Thus, failures are not entirely negative; instead, it has the potential for driving new information and concepts and in the development of better policies and guidelines for all. Learning is a process that occurs throughout life, and failures play an important role in facilitating learning. Without mistakes and failure, an individual would not be able to learn what is right and acceptable from what is wrong and unacceptable. Failure is as essential to life as learning; one cannot exist without the other. Learning does not occur in a vacuum, it utilizes whatever information, and knowledge is on hand. However, the best kind of learning is said to come from failures and mistakes as it provides concrete basis for differentiating what is positive and good from what is negative and bad (Nevis,   DiBella Gould, 1995). At an individual level, workers sent on a training workshop to learn new skills in the operation of new equipments would only have a working knowledge of the new equipment. Actual operation of the equipment would test the knowledge of the worker and the amount of learning that he has gained from the training workshop. A failure on the part of the worker would lead to the inefficient use of the equipment, and identifying one’s mistakes and source of failure would result to more learning. At this point the worker can now identify which of his actions had resulted to the mistake and which actions would control for the effects of the mistake and what behaviors he should do to prevent the mistake from recurring. In terms of organizational learning, failures are also a rich source of information that could be used to improve and strengthen the strategies that they already have in place (Cannon Edmondson, 2005). It is important for organizations to learn from their failures as it is a factual occurrence that reflect the true state of the organization (Carmeli Sheaffer, 2008). For example, a miscommunication between departments can bring about significant problems and difficulties in the conduct of the organizations’ activities. The most likely reaction is for the department heads and managers to resolve the problems brought about by miscommunication, but if the organization wants to apply the concept of learning from failures, they should b able to identify the source of the miscommunication and in what channels the miscommunication occurred, then the organization should look into the communication patterns of the organization and take the necessary steps to ensure that the communication systems would be corrected to prevent miscommunications in the future. Even though learning from failures has been found to be a useful tool for increasing the efficiency of organizations and in cultivating a positive culture, one that is open to experimentation and failure, not many organizations have embraced the concept and continue to disregard the learning that could be had from failures (Nevis,   DiBella Gould, 1995). In a discussion of why organizations fail to learn from failures, it was pointed out that organizations fail to utilize failures as rich sources of information because of the lack of critical thinking skills that would identify failures as an opportunity for growth (Carmeli Sheaffer, 2008). Additionally, organizations does not take into account and monitor for failure, instead it is systematically removed and not dwelled upon. Another reason for not being able to learn from failures is the human tendency to reduce the effect or to cover-up the incidence of a failure. Even without undue pressure, individuals have the tendency to downplay failures and mistakes and for most to find excuses and blame the failure on the system, and other individuals (Carmeli Sheaffer, 2008). It is important to recognize that failures present a learning opportunity for organizations and even for one’s personal life, and although it takes courage and a more open and willing perspective, it is not impossible to attain. References Cannon, M. Edmondson, A. (2005). Failing to learn and learning to fail (intelligently): How organizations put failure to work to innovate and improve. Long Range Planning, 38, 299-319 Carmeli, A., Sheaffer, Z. (2008). How learning leadership and organizational learning from failures enhance perceived organizational capacity to adapt to the task environment. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 44:468. Nevis, E. C., DiBella, A.J., Gould, J.M. (1995). Understanding organizations as learning systems. Sloan Management Review, 36, 73-85.

Role of Prisons in Reducing Recidivism Essay -- Argumentative Persuasi

Role of Prisons in Reducing Recidivism The role of prisons and prison wardens in reducing recidivism is a major concern today. With programs initialized in the prison systems, recidivism rates still have stayed about the same for forty years. Almost two-thirds of prisoners will be arrested after their release, and of those, half will return to prison for a new crime. The obstacle faced by professionals to change behavior is a multi-layered complex problem that needs to be addressed in our society today. Different views and opinions are given, and they do not lesson the impact of each other, but a multi-dimensional program should be utilized to achieve the goal of recidivism. Professor Alex Holsinger of the University of Missouri states that each individual has a responsibility for his or her behavior and not to look at the penal system for absolute rehabilitation. The recidivism studies tend to clump entire criminal behavior into one study and do not look at all the different criminal offenses separately. For example, chronic drunk driving behavior and shoplifting behavior s...

Advanced industrial business management

Globalization is actually the process of economic, technological, political and socio-cultural forces i.e. globalization refers to the adaptation or development of values, knowledge, technology and behavioral norms across different societies and countries around the world.The characteristics of globalization are mostly linked with global networking (i.e. internet, electronic communication or technology and many more) with interflow of information in the economic, social, political and cultural learning areas, interflow between international alliances and competitors, international collaboration and multi-cultural integration and global village and technology.Globalization amplifies the cultural diversity of an organization and the company needs to be aware of the culture diversity within the organization so that they can guide the managers when they take decisions. Managers need to further their contributions to the organization by being informed about cultural differences among the company’s international operations.The company’s role is not to object to or block technology transfers or other innovations to facilitate them. The growing globalization of business also means grater movement of employees among countries. (Edwards, 2006)Global ExpansionCompanies large and small believe in global expansion and the companies find that thinking globally can provide them with a competitive edge over their competitors. International markets provide many opportunities for companies to expand themselves. Large companies are the ones who carry out international business .Companies who are global or in the global or stateless stage of international development transcend any single home country. The companies operate in a global fashion, making sales and acquiring resources in countries where the cost is the minimum and where a lot of business opportunities are there.At this stage, companies have their offices located at different locations around the world wit h total control and ownership. The companies that operation internationally encourages free flow of ideas, products, manufacturing and marketing among countries so that they can achieve great efficiencies. (Daft, 1997)Ways to ExpansionThere are different methods of global expansion for any large company. All companies have a couple of ways in which they can expand their business globally. One if the ways a large company can expand itself it through seeking out cheaper sources for supplies and looking for cheaper suppliers who would supply the company offshore, this process is called the outsourcing method.Another method for a company to expand globally would be by developing markets for the company’s finished products outside the company’s home country, this may include licensing, direct investment or even through exporting etc.This kind of method is called the market entry strategy where the company introduces itself and its products for selling in a foreign market. W hat happens is that the most companies start with exporting and they work up to direct investing in the foreign market. The different ways for a company to expand itself globally are as follows:-OutsourcingOutsourcing here is being referred to as global sourcing or outsourcing, basically means engaging in the international division of labor so that the production of the company’s products can be done in the cheapest sources and supplies available to the company.For example, the company may take away a contract from a domestic supplier because the supplier was providing the company with expensive materials and can replace it with a supplier in Far East because that supplier is providing with the cheapest material for the production of the products. Outsourcing is mostly conducted by the company so that it can increase its profits. (Fullmer, 1983)ExportingWith the help of exporting the company can maintain its production facilities within the home nation and then transfers the product for sale in the foreign market. Exporting basically helps the country to market its product in other countries at modest resource cost and with very minimum risk for the company and the country.There are some large companies that usually do not want to be involved in any kind of investment in the foreign market, therefore for such companies who want to expand globally usually export their product to the foreign markets like Gerber Scientific Inc. (high-tech equipment supplier).LicensingWith the help of licensing a company in one country makes certain sources available to companies in another country. These resources include technology, managerial skills, patents or even trademark rights. Franchising is a form of licensing in which the franchisor provides foreign franchises with a complete package of material and services, which include equipment, products, product ingredients, trade mark and trade name rights, managerial advice and a standardized operating.Some of the best k nown international franchisors are the fast foods chains and coffee shops like Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, KFC, Pizza Hut or McDonald’s. Licensing and franchising offer a business company relatively an easy access to international markets at low costs, but the limit its participation in and control over the development of those markets. (Fullmer, 1983)Direct InvestmentDirect investment can be described as a higher involvement of the company in an international trade. Direct investment means when the company is involved in managing the productive assets, which distinguishes it from the other entry strategies which stops less management control.Joint venture is a also a part of direct investment which can be defined as a variation of direct investment in which the company would share costs and risks with another firm to build a manufacturing facility, or to develop new products or even to set up a sales and distribution network. (Fullmer, 1983)C onclusionThis paper basically stresses on the growing importance of an international or global perspective of the company that how it can expand itself.Large companies that have been a huge success in their home countries have begun to expand their business overseas and are preparing themselves even now to withstand domestic competition from the foreign markets competitors. Business in the global arena involves risks and difficulties that have to be faced by the company’s management.ReferencesDaft, R.L. (1997) â€Å"Management†. Orlando: The Dryden PressDavid Roman (2008), Going Global, Available from , on 5th December’08Edwards, W. (2006), ‘Why go global? Compelling reasons to expand internationally’, Available from < http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4017371-1.html>, on 5th December’08Fullmer, R.M. (1983) â€Å"The New Management† New York: Macmillan Publishing Company

Domestic Violence and Homelessness Essay - 958 Words

Homelessness is a major problem facing many cities. Some people are homeless because of unfortunate situations, and others are homeless by choice. Homelessness has been around since 1640. The cost of housing is on the rise and many become homeless because they that are not making enough money to afford the cost of housing. The cost of health care and insurance has risen dramatically over the past years. For families living low or middle incomes that can be devastating. Families or individuals that lack health insurance, a sudden illness, chronic disease or accident can be financially devastating. Many people don’t understand the problems homeless families are facing and most families are homeless because of finical situations or because†¦show more content†¦Homeless teens are more likely to engage in sexual actives in exchange for things such as food, clothes, money, and etc. Some homeless teens become addict to drugs and other illegal substances. Decayed or missing teeth can hinder a teens self esteem. Poor oral health affects the health of the individual, but also hinders a teens attempt to improve his or her life circumstances. Homeless teens are at a greater risk of contracting AIDS, HIV, and other STDs. Homeless teen girls are more likely to become pregnant and far more likely to experience multiple pregnancies than housed young teen girls. Babies who are to homeless teens may develop much slower than housed babies. Children without a home are in or poor health more than other children. Homeless children experience mental health problems, anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. Homeless children don’t know what is going and they don’t understand why they are living on the streets or in homeless shelters. Many homeless kids would like to go to school but cant because they don’t have clean clothing and their hygiene is not so good. Many homeless kids face problems because they are homeless and often feel that no one cares . People should help the homeless children because it’s not there fault that they are homeless. Children should have not have to suffer because their parents has a low income and cannot afford housing, people should take the time and try to families that have children,Show MoreRelatedDomestic Violence: A Cause of Homelessness in Women Essay970 Words   |  4 Pagesof what a battered woman knows to be the only truth in her household. Domestic violence is greatly on the rise and is one of the leading causes of homelessness among women in todays society. Rather than approach domestic violence as a direct cause of homelessness, one might hope to understand how such violence could help create the circumstances that might make a woman more susceptible to homelessness. Domestic violence and poverty may intersect with other issues to produce the circumstancesRead MoreHomelessness Is A Prevalent And Progressive Issue Within Australia Essay1445 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment Homelessness is a prevalent and progressive issue within Australia that is particularly susceptible to women and children. The homeless are a hidden minority of people with limited access to government and agency resources. The experiences of homelessness often results in the loss of basic determinants of health such as a substantial home, food or education. The National Health Care facility defines homelessness as more than just ‘sleeping rough’. Contrary to popular belief, homelessness canRead MoreCase Study : Ending A Never Ending Story1685 Words   |  7 PagesCampaign name: Ending a never-ending story. (Queensland) Executive Summary Situation Analysis and research Homelessness becomes a noteworthy matter in Australia in our time. Target publics People who suffering from homelessness and domestic/ family violence. Objectives (S.M.A.R.T): providing volunteer activities (April,2017), creating website ( early 2017) selling clothe at charity event ( every 3 weeks in 2017), recording documentary movie ( early 2017 ) Strategy: using both emotion and characterRead MoreThe Outcasts Of Society, The Lazy And Incompetent, Or The Victims Of Extreme Misfortunes?1607 Words   |  7 Pagesculture of homelessness, we will demystify, learning the how’s, when’s and why’s. It is essential not to get lost within the presentation of stats and facts. But, to digest the information, reverting it back to our own lives. In doing so, we will see how near or far we are to the brinks of homelessness. Careful! As the degrees of separation maybe not be so plentiful.† Homelessness According to a recent point in time by a survey provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, an estimatedRead MoreHomelessness : Homeless And Homeless991 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction This social issue is happening all around the world and has done for many years, since the 1800’s. It leaves people of all ages without a place to live, most commonly known as Homelessness. People who are homeless don’t have a safe and secure place to stay. They don’t maintain a regular housing system, they sleep on streets, jump from houses of friends and stay in shelters. People are put into the position of being homeless or choose to be homeless due to their housing environmentRead MoreViolence Against Women Is A Women’S Health Issue Stemming1465 Words   |  6 PagesViolence against women is a women’s health issue stemming from the cultural acceptance of the power dynamic between men and women. Specifically, men are socialized to be more powerful, commanding and assert themselves in the public sphere. While females are socialized to be more docile, reserved, obedient and to consume as little space as possible – both physically and figura tively. This mindset is something that adversely affects the health of women, taking away her autonomy, and subverting herRead MoreHomelessness Is A Growing Problem Essay1121 Words   |  5 Pageslatest definition of homelessness is, people who live in temporary house, have no tenure and do not have enough space for social relations (Justin 2006). Homelessness is a growing problem in Australia and it has spread quickly and influences to different kind of people. The rapid increase of homeless issues has influenced various people and the government should put forward corresponding solutions for these causes. This essay will introduce five main reasons which cause homelessness and the governmentRead MoreAn Evaluation Of The Government Solution On Homelessness Essay1133 Words   |  5 Pagessolution on homelessness Family is such a simple word and many people take their own family and home for granted. However, Australian society still has people, who can not enjoy the advantage of a family life, and do not have shelter. On census night in 2011, 17% in every 10,000 people were estimated to be homeless. The present situation is, 39% of the homeless people live in overcrowded houses and approximately 20% people live in supported houses (ABS 2012). The latest definition of homelessness is,Read MoreA Survey On Homelessness And Poverty1404 Words   |  6 PagesAlliance to End Homelessness, an estimated 740000 individuals are experiencing homelessness at any particular time in America (Aratani). Additionally, an approximated 3.5 million individuals are at risk of experiencing temporary homelessness at a certain point in a particular year with some 1.35 million children based on the report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (Aratani). In 2005, 50 percent of the cities in the US were surveyed and reported domestic violence, classified asRead MoreThe Social Issue Of Homelessness1055 Words   |  5 PagesHomelessness is a social issue which extends beyond a lack of housing and includes the complexities of social and economic concerns such as domestic violence, child abuse, trauma and addictions, mental health, insufficient income, health complications, involvement with the justice system, and poverty. Homelessness is a difficult phenomenon to define as it is dependent upon societal constructs, mainly revolving around the concept of ‘home’ and how it is largely influenced by family structures more